Shipwreck

How a Captain, Company, and Culture Sank the SS El Faro

2015 saw the worst American maritime disaster in decades. The captain of the SS El Faro commanded his crew to sail straight into a hurricane. The ship sank and all 33 crew members died.

The sinking raised troubling questions: Why did the captain choose to sail into the hurricane? Why did no one on board or on shore stop him? And why was such an old and heavily loaded ship even allowed on the water?

The crew of the SS El Faro is gone, but their haunting final hours were preserved by the ship’s black box. In Shipwreck, we hear immersive reenactments from their last voyage and new revelations from investigators, crew members’ families, and mariners who sailed on previous voyages of the El Faro. The narrative investigation reveals how corporate greed, government indifference, and a culture of obedience led to the shocking outcome.

The same forces that sank the El Faro are still at work today—not just in cargo shipping, but across the entire maritime industry, which carries millions of passengers every year.

What happened to the El Faro wasn't just a tragedy. It was a warning we can't afford to ignore.

Special thanks to the Fund for Investigative Journalism for helping fund this reporting.

©2025 Sugar23 Podcast Group, LLC (P)2025 Audible Originals, LLC

Compelling argument for human life over profit.

I didn't know about the SS El Faro until I found this book. And wow, am I glad I did! This really illustrates the blinders we have as to the extent corporations have over national policy. And it lays bare the disregard corporations have for human life where profits are concerned. I highly recommend this book! Note- some re-enactments are quite cheesy, but that is my only criticism

Very thorough coverage of the tragic last voyage of the El Faro

Profits over people. I’d heard the El Faro discussed in a Q&A with a captain on board a cruise ship where it was ‘all the fault of the captain’. But after listening to this I believe the corporate climate is to blame.

They were really in depth with the discussion

I’ve been checking into the Alfaro wreck for a short while so this was an awesome find on Audible if you like shipwreck the story was well done

Such a moving story

wow, this was very good. what a story. the podcast really paints a picture of the events and what the crew went through. thanks for the research and for sharing.

New information, very well done

I liked all of the interviews with those directly connected to this tragedy. This story felt very factual and complete.